Dear Abby: Dog pays for driver's distraction

Dear Abby: I want to share my experience with being a distracted driver. I happened to glance down at my iPad and the next thing I knew, I had hit the car in front of me. The airbags engaged and hit me and my golden retriever, who was in the front seat with me. He was so freaked out he jumped out the window into oncoming traffic. I chased him, but lost him as he darted through traffic on the busy streets.

Fortunately, a couple found him and brought him to a vet who scanned his chip. I got him back, and it is a gift from heaven — but he was severely injured.

With time, he will make a full recovery, but my stupid mistake hurt my most cherished companion. From now on, those devices go in the trunk. — Reformed Distracted Driver

Dear Reformed: That’s a start. And in the future, your cherished companion should ride in the back seat — with the windows closed and wearing a restraint so that in the event of another traffic problem he won’t be reinjured.

Dear Abby: My friend left a plant for me to take care of while she was out of town. The plant died. Do I replace the plant? — No Green Thumb in Lubbock

Dear No Green Thumb: If the plant was thriving when your friend asked you to care for it, and it died because of lack of sun or water while in your care, then the answer is yes — you should at least offer to replace it. For your sake, I hope it wasn’t a rare orchid.

Dear Abby: I am a mature, adult woman in my 40s who has never had a good relationship with my mother. Candidly, she is a mean person who has left a lot of hurt feelings in her wake. It makes being close to her impossible. Our entire family feels the way I do about her, including her only surviving sister.

I will be remarrying soon. Although I feel inviting my mother to my wedding is the right thing to do, it could mean potentially inviting disaster — literally. I’m having trouble coming to terms with this decision and would love your input. — Needs Guidance in California

Dear Needs Guidance: Your mother appears to be a bitter, possibly disturbed woman. If she isn’t invited, the hurt and angry feelings could reverberate for years. Because the rest of your family knows the way she is, consider inviting her on the condition she will be on her best behavior — and with the understanding that if she “lapses,” some family members will escort her out.

Dear Abby is written by Abigail Van Buren, also known as Jeanne Phillips, and was founded by her mother, Pauline Phillips. Write Dear Abby at www.dearabby.com or P.O. Box 69440, Los Angeles, CA 90069.